Crossing the Arctic Circle 北极圈
July 2, 2026
Today’s weather was perfect for cruising and sightseeing. After breakfast, we all went to the Sun Deck to see Torghatten as the ship sailed past. This distinctive granite mountain on the island of Torget, near Brønnøysund, is famous for the enormous natural tunnel running through its center. The tunnel is about 160 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 35 meters high. Seeing the opening clearly from the ship was amazing.
We then attended another Coastal Kitchen cooking demonstration. The chef prepared fresh Norwegian blue mussels, explaining the ingredients and cooking techniques while sharing a few tips about Norway’s seafood traditions. At the end of the demonstration, we were invited to sample the mussels. They were fresh, tender, and absolutely delicious.
Shortly afterward, as the ship cruised past the Seven Sisters mountain range, the expedition team entertained us with one of Norway’s best-known folk tales. According to legend, the Seven Sisters were seven beautiful troll maidens who were pursued through the night. As the chase continued, the sun suddenly rose, turning the sisters, their pursuers, and Torghatten into stone. Today, the Seven Sisters, Torghatten, and several nearby peaks are said to be the frozen figures from this ancient tale.
Before reaching Træna, we sailed past the site of the Rigel disaster, the deadliest maritime disaster in Norway during World War II. In November 1944, the German-controlled prisoner ship MS Rigel was attacked by British aircraft and sank nearby, killing about 2,570 people, most of them Soviet and Yugoslav prisoners of war. Today, the peaceful waters give little hint of the tragedy that occurred here more than 80 years ago.
Later, our ship stopped at Træna, one of Norway’s oldest island communities, for a four-hour visit. Træna is a tiny and peaceful island community surrounded by spectacular coastal scenery. We spent about two hours hiking along its scenic trails, enjoying breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and nearby Sanna Island. The most striking landmark on Sanna is Trænstaven, a dramatic 338-meter, pyramid-shaped mountain rising almost directly from the sea. Along the way, we passed the island’s charming church and water tower and wandered through the quiet little village.
We enjoyed a three-course dinner at Flora. Between the two of us, we ordered Arctic char tartare, pumpkin soup sprinkled with local seaweed, Norwegian dry-aged “old steak” (Gammelsteik), and creamy pesto pasta. The dishes were delicious and made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Showcasing Norwegian cuisine through fresh, locally sourced ingredients was one of the highlights of our Hurtigruten cruise.
As the day came to a close, one more memorable moment awaited us. At 10:35 p.m., our ship officially crossed the Arctic Circle, marking the beginning of our journey into the Arctic. Despite the late hour, the sun was still shining above the horizon under the Midnight Sun. Many passengers gathered on deck to celebrate the occasion, enjoying the crisp Arctic air and taking photos.
Crossing the Arctic Circle was more than simply passing an invisible line on the map—it was a symbolic milestone and one of the highlights of our voyage.
Today was a perfect blend of spectacular scenery, fascinating history, Norwegian folklore, delicious local cuisine, and the unforgettable experience of entering the Arctic.
2026年7月2日
今天的天气非常适合邮轮航行和观光。早餐后，我们一起来到阳光甲板，等待邮轮驶过著名的 Torghatten（托尔哈滕山）。这座位于 Brønnøysund 附近 Torget 岛上的花岗岩山峰，以山体中央巨大的天然洞穴而闻名。这个天然隧洞长约160米、宽约20米、高约35米。从船上清楚地看到这个巨大的山洞，令人惊叹不已。
随后，我们参加了又一次 “挪威海岸厨房”（Coastal Kitchen） 烹饪示范。厨师介绍新鲜的挪威蓝贻贝，一边介绍所用的食材和烹饪方法，一边分享挪威海鲜饮食传统的一些小知识。示范结束后，我们也有机会品尝刚刚出锅的贻贝。贻贝非常新鲜，肉质鲜嫩，味道十分鲜美。
不久之后，当邮轮缓缓驶过七姐妹峰（Seven Sisters）时, 船上的工作人员为我们讲述了一个挪威著名的民间传说——“七姐妹峰”（Seven Sisters） 的故事。相传，七姐妹原本是七位美丽的巨人少女，在夜色中遭到追逐。追逐持续了一整夜，当太阳突然升起时，七姐妹、追赶她们的人以及 Torghatten 都被阳光变成了石头。如今，七姐妹峰、Torghatten 以及附近的几座山峰，都被传说成这些远古故事人物化成的山峰。
在抵达 Træna（特莱纳） 之前，我们驶过了 “里格尔号灾难”（Rigel disaster） 的发生地。这是第二次世界大战期间挪威死亡人数最多的海域。1944年11月，由德国控制、用于运送战俘的 MS Rigel 号遭到英国飞机袭击，并在附近沉没，约有2,570人遇难，其中大多数是苏联和南斯拉夫战俘。80多年后的今天，这片海域宁静而祥和，几乎看不出当年曾发生过如此惨烈的悲剧。
之后，我们的邮轮停靠 Træna，在这里停留四个小时。Træna 是挪威最古老的岛屿社区之一，也是一个宁静而小巧的海岛聚落。我们花了大约两个小时沿着岛上的步道徒步，一路欣赏崎岖壮丽的海岸线以及附近 Sanna 岛的美景。Sanna 岛最醒目的地标是 Trænstaven 山，这座高338米、形似金字塔的山峰几乎直接从海面拔地而起，十分壮观。徒步途中，我们经过了岛上漂亮的小教堂和水塔，也漫步穿过了宁静的小村庄。
一天即将结束时，还有一个令人难忘的时刻等待着我们。晚上 10:35，邮轮正式跨越了北极圈，也标志着我们的旅程正式进入北极地区。虽然已是深夜，午夜太阳依然高悬在地平线上。在一个极小的岛上立着一个北极圈标志，许多乘客聚集在甲板上，共同庆祝这一特别的时刻。大家吹着清凉的北极海风，纷纷拍照留念。
跨越北极圈不仅仅是越过地图上一条看不见的纬线，对我们而言，它更是这次航程中一个具有象征意义的里程碑，也是整个旅途中最值得纪念的时刻之一。
这一天，有壮丽的自然风光，有引人入胜的历史，有古老的挪威传说，有美味的当地海鲜，更有跨越北极圈的难忘体验。美景、历史、美食与午夜阳光交织在一起，为我们进入北极的这一天留下了完美的记忆。